When LSU takes on Notre Dame in the Music City Bowl, here’s what you need to know

The basics

WHEN: 2 p.m. Tuesday

WHERE: LP Field, Nashville, Tenn.

TV: ESPN

What’s at stake

Notre Dame can get a little payback for being routed by LSU in the 2007 Sugar Bowl and stop a skid that saw the Fighting Irish lose five of six. LSU has played 17 true freshmen and can get a nine-win season with a victory. Coach Les Miles is 1-0 against Notre Dame while at LSU.

Key matchup

LSU’s defense against Notre Dame’s offense: The Fighting Irish rank 39th nationally, scoring an average of 33.9 points. The Tigers not only led the Southeastern Conference in total defense but are third in the nation, holding opponents to 16.4 points per game.

Players to watch

LSU: QB Anthony Jennings. He has started 11 games this season, throwing for 1,460 yards with 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He ran for 119 yards on 14 carries in a win at Texas A&M.

Notre Dame: QB Malik Zaire and Everett Golson. Zaire will be making his first career start after coming off the bench in the regular-season finale at Southern California and throwing for 170 yards and running for a TD. Golson also is expected to play. He is 17-6 as a starter and threw for 29 touchdowns while running for eight more, but he turned the ball over 22 times: 14 interceptions and eight lost fumbles.

Facts & figures

This is the third time these teams have played in a bowl game. ... LSU is 2-0 against Notre Dame at a neutral site. ... Miles is 6-3 in bowls at LSU. ... Miles is 45-2 against nonconference opponents since 2005. ... This is the 15th straight year LSU has played in a bowl, and the Tigers have won at least eight games in 15 straight years. That’s the longest streak by any team in “Power Five” conference. ... LSU has played 17 true freshmen, second-most in SEC. ... Notre Dame has lost four straight and five of its past six. Three of those losses were by four points or fewer. ... Brian Kelly is the first coach to take Notre Dame to five straight bowls in each of his first five seasons. ... This is the 16th different bowl in which Notre Dame has played. ... The Fighting Irish are 3-0 at NFL stadiums this season.